'BJP Brought People From Uttar Pradesh For Assam Polls Due To Lack Of Confidence': Claims Mamata Banerjee

The West Bengal assembly polls see the TMC and BJP trading sharp accusations on governance, voter lists, central agencies, migration and outsider influence ahead of the two-phase voting schedule, with results tracking security and local concerns.

The TMC-BJP war of words has sharpened as West Bengal moves towards assembly polls, with Mamata Banerjee comparing the BJP to a snake, a day after Narendra Modi called the TMC government a "Nirmam Sarkar". Both leaders are using strong language while trying to rally supporters ahead of two crucial voting phases.

West Bengal will elect its 294-member assembly in two stages on April 23 and April 29, with counting on May 4. Mamata Banerjee and the TMC seek a fourth straight term since 2011, while the BJP, which won 77 seats in 2021, aims to convert opposition strength into power.

TMC-BJP war of words over 'Nirmam Sarkar' in West Bengal assembly polls

Addressing voters in Tentulia in North 24 Parganas, Mamata Banerjee contrasted trust in a snake with distrust of the BJP. "Even a snake can be trusted, but not the BJP. I am the candidate for TMC. Vote for TMC if you want to keep the state safe," Banerjee told the rally.

At the same meeting, Mamata Banerjee asked voters to treat the entire election as a personal test of leadership. "If you want a Trinamool Congress government under my leadership, then I am the candidate in all seats," Banerjee said, urging support across all 294 constituencies in West Bengal.

Central agencies, voter rolls and TMC-BJP war of words in West Bengal assembly polls

Mamata Banerjee accused central investigating bodies of bias under the BJP-led Union government, arguing that these institutions no longer act impartially. She described the agencies as "one-sided," and alleged "no agency" operates neutrally because "the saffron party has bought them all," linking this charge to disputes over voter lists.

Referring to the Special Intensive Revision process of electoral rolls, Mamata Banerjee claimed that names of 90 lakh voters were removed in West Bengal. Citing a newspaper report, Mamata Banerjee said 60 lakh of those were Hindus and 30 lakh were Muslims, and alleged that many Scheduled Caste names were also struck off.

Assam strategy and TMC-BJP war of words in West Bengal assembly polls

Linking West Bengal politics to Assam, Mamata Banerjee alleged that the BJP earlier depended on non-local voters in the northeastern state. "A trainload of 50,000 people was brought to Assam from Uttar Pradesh," she claimed, alleging the BJP lacked confidence in winning only with local Assamese votes in the 126-seat assembly election.

Mamata Banerjee further connected her criticism to the National Register of Citizens exercise in Assam. She said the BJP should not be trusted as, during the NRC, "out of 19 lakh names delisted, 13 lakh were Hindus and 6 lakh were Muslims," arguing that large sections from different communities suffered through the process.

Local issues and TMC-BJP war of words in West Bengal assembly polls

Mamata Banerjee claimed that the BJP wants to repeat the alleged Assam pattern in West Bengal by bringing in outsiders. She linked recent Election Commission transfers of many police and administrative officers to this charge, asserting that "people, money and drugs are being brought in, but our workers will fight it out and win."

The TMC chief also said names had disappeared from electoral rolls in her own constituency. Mamata Banerjee maintained that many Scheduled Caste voters were affected, but insisted this would not change the overall verdict. "I am not worried, I have faith in people; we will get all the remaining votes on the voter list," she said.

Social concerns in TMC-BJP war of words during West Bengal assembly polls

Mamata Banerjee raised the treatment of migrant workers from West Bengal in BJP-governed states, directly addressing the Prime Minister. "You (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) cannot protect West Bengal's people in other states, but promise a 'Sonar Bangla' at rallies," Mamata Banerjee said, urging that safety come before campaign promises about a golden Bengal.

Continuing that line, Mamata Banerjee added, "You should dream of a 'Sonar Bangla' only after ensuring security for people of West Bengal in BJP-ruled states." She argued that conditions faced by migrant labourers underline a gap between poll slogans and the situation on the ground for those working outside the state.

The West Bengal Chief Minister also touched on food preferences, claiming that a BJP administration would restrict non-vegetarian choices. Mamata Banerjee said people in West Bengal eat what they prefer, unlike some BJP-ruled states, and alleged that "fish is not allowed to be consumed in Bihar, which is why it is exported to other states."

Poll schedule, numbers and stakes in TMC-BJP war of words for West Bengal assembly polls

With the TMC-BJP war of words intensifying, the election timeline and recent numbers frame the contest. Voting is divided between 152 constituencies in the first phase and 142 in the second. The TMC seeks to defend long-held ground, while the BJP builds on its 2021 tally of 77 assembly seats.

Narendra Modi, speaking at a rally in Purba Medinipur, targeted the TMC administration by repeating the "Nirmam Sarkar" phrase. "While the entire country is progressing, the TMC's 'Nirmam Sarkar' is steadily holding Bengal back. To usher in a Viksit Bengal, it is essential to remove the TMC's 'Nirmam Sarkar'," Modi said to supporters.

Modi also read the crowd size as a signal of discontent with the state government. "I thank people for turning up in such large numbers despite the adverse weather. This indicates a storm in the making. The people of Bengal are ready for a regime change, signalling that the TMC's exit from the state is inevitable," Modi added.

As campaign temperatures rise, the TMC-BJP war of words over "Nirmam Sarkar", migrants, agencies, food habits and alleged outsiders reflects deeper political fault lines. With voting on April 23 and April 29, both parties focus on turnout and narrative, while long-term claims about governance and security remain central to appeals.